Thursday, February 17, 2005
Don't start a conversation by talking about the weather
Because I once lived in Portland, Oregon where it rained 300 days of the year, I never complained about the weather. Another reason I didn’t complain about the weather is because, without it, 90% of the world wouldn’t know how to start a conversation!
But seriously...I’ve read almost every book on how to start conversations, mingling, breaking the ice and meeting people – and I have yet to find one that doesn’t advise the following:
No it isn’t. It’s a terrible way. And just because it’s easy and everyone uses it doesn’t make it effective. Starting a conversation about the weather actually means you’ve settled for starting a conversation about the weather; which makes your conversation partners feel like you’ve settled for them too. Every time you do it, you also show the other person you aren’t a good enough conversationalist to talk about anything other than the weather. So, unless there’s a good reason such as a tornado, hailstorm, monsoon, meteor shower or lightning happened to strike your cat – think of something else. You can do better than that. I believe in you.
Here are a few tips on ways to start conversations, and a great post by my friend Don the Idea Guy.
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
How does it make you feel when people talk about the weather?
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Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com
Connect with Scott
Like HELLO, my name is Blog!
Thanks for the "linkage" Scott!
Although I posted the info, the REAL content came from the always brilliant Ilise Benum (http://www.artofselfpromotion.com/tips.html) -- I merely distilled her content into a bite-size morsel that was easier to take in at a glance.
As guy who's never been so hot at small talk, her advice hit home. I hope your readers see as much value in her info as I did.
~DON
I was thinking that if someone starts a conversation about the weather with you, it might be intelligent to at least steer the conversation toward INTERESTING weather, like those you stated.
Then you can go off on tangents including (your insurance business) (your cat and lightening) (what was the most beautiful storm they ever saw) etc.
Make it interesting, and then try to draw them out. That's our job as front-porch-builders, isn't it? Don't let them fumble and feel vulnerable, let them know you care and are interested in and about them.
When someone begins a conversation by talking about the weather, I think they are either making small talk and not interested or they dearly lack in creative thinking.
Dear Scott, thanks for another super article, i just love this site, thanks for the hard work.